high voltage / high tension
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high voltage
A high electrical voltage used to transmit electrical energy over long distances. Contact with high voltage is life-threatening.
Das Warnschild wies darauf hin, dass die Leitungen unter Hochspannung stehen.
The warning sign indicated that the lines were under high voltage.
The word is made up of 'hoch' (high) and 'Spannung' (voltage/tension). The two meanings derive directly from the meanings of the base word 'Spannung' (voltage/tension): electrical voltage and emotional tension.
Das Wort beschreibt sowohl eine hohe elektrische Spannung als auch eine hohe emotionale Anspannung.
The word describes both high electrical voltage and high emotional tension.
You can recognize the technical meaning from words like 'Leitung' (line/cable), 'Strom' (electricity/current), 'Volt' (volt), or 'Lebensgefahr' (danger to life). You can recognize the figurative meaning from words like 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere), 'Film' (film), 'Finale' (final), or 'Wahlen' (elections).
Ein Schild mit „Vorsicht, Hochspannung!“ warnt vor Strom.
A sign saying 'Vorsicht, Hochspannung!' (Caution, high voltage!) warns of electricity.
In a technical context, the phrase 'unter Hochspannung stehen' (to be under high voltage) is very common for power lines. The term is also typical as a warning call: 'Vorsicht, Hochspannung!' (Caution, high voltage!).
Ein Sturm hat eine Hochspannungsleitung beschädigt, die unter Hochspannung stand.
A storm damaged a high-voltage line that was under high voltage.
In the figurative sense, people often speak of an 'Atmosphäre der Hochspannung' (atmosphere of high tension). Typical verbs are 'herrschen' (to prevail; high tension prevails) or 'für Hochspannung sorgen' (to create high tension).
Die letzten Minuten des Finales sorgten für Hochspannung im ganzen Stadion.
The final minutes of the final created high tension throughout the stadium.
tension / suspense / voltage
'die Spannung' and 'die Hochspannung' can both have to do with electricity or with strong anticipation. 'Spannung' is the more general word: it fits an exciting film, a competition, or physics when talking about electrical voltage. 'Hochspannung' technically means a particularly high electrical voltage and is dangerous. Figuratively, 'Hochspannung' is used when anticipation or excitement is especially great. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in technical and figurative situations. As a guide: 'Spannung' is neutral and broad, while 'Hochspannung' is stronger or more specific.
Wegen der Hochspannung darf niemand die Leitung berühren.
Because of the high voltage, no one is allowed to touch the power line.
Bis zur letzten Minute blieb die Spannung im Spiel sehr groß.
The suspense in the game remained very high until the last minute.